In junior football: Falcons head to semifinals with win over Barre

In the first round of the Northern Vermont Youth Football League playoffs, the North Country Junior Falcons A team (seventh- and eighth-graders) faced the Barre Crimson Tide on Saturday.

The B team wrapped up its season last week with a jamboree in Essex.

The opening kick Saturday was received by the Falcons.  One minute and 20 seconds into the game Garrett Gile ran the ball 35 yards for the opening touchdown of the game.  Alex Haugwitz held the ball and crossed for the extra point.  Skylar Stone jumped on a loose ball, the fumble recovery setting the Falcons up for another scoring play, this time with Cole Azur crossing for the six and Gile catching for the plus two.

One of the smallest Falcons, Troy Sanville, put a smashing hit on the Barre running back, backing him up three yards.  Stone blew through the line making a big tackle in the backfield.  Azur scored two more touchdowns, with Haugwitz and Gile repeating what they had already done.  Stone again shot the gap, the tackle forcing Barre back another ten yards, setting up fourth and long.  Barre opted to kick it away.  Alex Fearino blocked the punt with the ball landing in Stone’s arms. Stone ran across, scoring another Falcon touchdown.

Play slowed down following halftime.  Gile scored on a 40-yard pass with Azur carrying the plus one. The game ended on a pick by Devon Chagnon.

The Falcons let the final 30 seconds of the clock run out.

The Junior Falcons will play at home again Saturday, October 26, in the semifinal game against either the Fairfax Patriots or the Rodliff Raiders.  — submitted by Eva Broome